USC beefs up the coaching support staff with the hiring of Skylar Jones
USC football made another splash support staff addition with the hiring of former Oregon analyst and NFL staffer Skyler Jones this week. Jones is expected to work alongside new USC defensive line coach Eric Henderson as a defensive assistant. Jones has updated his Instagram to designate himself as a USC coach.
Jones spent the 2023 season with the Oregon Ducks, serving as the assistant defensive line coach. Prior to that, Jones worked with Henderson at the L.A. Rams, serving as the assistant defensive line coach in 2022.
Jones does have college experience, coaching seven seasons between Norfolk State and Southern University. Jones was the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at Norfolk before joining the Rams. At Southern University, Jones, a graduate assistant, helped mentor star defensive end Jordan Lewis into the SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time SWAC All-American.
Like Henderson, Jones is a native of Louisiana, but moved to Texas following Hurricane Katrina. Jones was an all-conference defensive tackle and team captain at Bethany College. He graduated with a degree in criminal justice.
Jones is the third official support staff addition of the offseason for USC, joining Savannah Reier, the new assistant director of recruiting operations, and former Oklahoma walk-on receiver Spence Jones, who joins the staff as an offensive graduate assistant.